Why am I unable to connect my USB to my Surface Pro 3?

After trying W10TP on my. Surface Pro 3 I went back to windows 8.1 but I can't re-install some programs I have on a CD because the CD drive when connected to the USB port is not recognized (it comes and goes).

I tried returning to 10 hoping that would work but it didn't. So I returned back to 8.1 (the more detailed reset as though it came from the store) but it still doesn't work (it might connect for a few seconds but not long enough to do anything.

I've read people had this issue after going to 8.1 from 8.0 but I can't find anything to help me.